Renny and I were treated to a delish lunch this afternoon at The Pump Room. While it proved to be quite the mid-day scene, I had just come from a long overdue cut & color and felt as if I partially passed muster.
The Pump Room is housed in the incredibly chic Public Chicago, formerly the Ambassador East. The menu was created by renowned chef, Jean-Gorges Vongerichten and features fancified favorites that are absolutely approachable. A few of the original Pump Room’s menu items are still on the menu, simply re-imagined by Genius Jean-Georges, along with many newly created items as well as some existing dishes taken from Jean-Gorges’ other successful restaurant, abc kitchen. They are working on a rooftop garden to further support their farm-to-table concept.
Mixed muted metallics, grainy wood, orb-like chandeliers and unexpected pops of kelly green dress up the Pump Room.
The bar at the Pump Room casts a golden glow on it’s already glossy guest.
The former Pump Room was frequented by the likes of Sinatra & Bogart during the Golden Age and while the vibe is decidedly current and fresh (not a lick like the old space), I hope our dear city (with the help of chic spots like this) can attract our own modern day Grant’s and Hepburn’s.
The Ambassador East has been reborn as Public Chicago, conceived and designed by Ian Schrager (known for other hotel hotshots like the Delano, the Sanderson and the Paramount, to name(drop) a few). The bones of the hotel remain (along with the stunning molding!) with the rest having experienced more than a major facelift.
There is such a feeling of serene chicness – crisp bold white paired with worn mirrors and warm woods. It’s perfect.
The gorgeous lobby features bright white walls, smokey mirrors and a repurposed clock that runs backwards…back in time.
My favorite room may be the Library, set with cozy couches, faux fur lounge chairs, a flickering fire and rustic wood touches.
The Library Bar serves espresso by day and trendy spirits by night. PS: Bottle service available in the cozy screening room, late night.
The rooms are incredibly simple, white on white on white.
“What do you do when a couch gets dirty?” “We were told to throw it away.” Crazy talk.
(PPS: The one bedroom suites are simply perfect for bridal parties.)
While I’m disappointed there isn’t any event space that can hold more than about 50 people at once, the hotel itself has me seriously smitten.
(image credits) photos from public chicago collateral
Upon arrival in Nantucket, the rain continued to pound. J and I were still buzzing with excitement {or was it terror from our stormy flight in an airplane the size of a minivan?!} and we insisted on exploring town. Our first stop was for a late lunch and we found the perfect cozy respite for burgers and beer…
Brotherhood of Thieves was originally opened in the 1840s as a whaling bar and much of the original setting still exists today.
I decided on the Veggie Burger and loved every bite. J chose the Bayou Burger and thought it was delicious – especially with the spicy red pepper remoulade. A couple of beers from the local Cisco Brewery were the perfect partner for our burgers and provided the energy needed to continue meandering down the cobblestone streets.
We had selected our first dinner in Nantucket to be at Lola 41. This chic global bistro had a menu that we couldn’t resist {paired with countless first hand raving recos!}, with seemingly something for everyone. We selected a couple of random dishes, not meant to be complimentary paired, but meant to explore the menu. We started with the Tatara, a basic starter sushi roll {J is new to sushi…we were easing into it}. It was delicious and sizable. We then moved on to the handmade Gnocchi Bolognese. The buttery little pillows of potato were as light as clouds…absolutely delectable and quite possibly one of our favorite dishes of our trip! We also shared the Pressed Sandwich – featuring thick crusty bread hugging a combination of proscuitto, arugula, asparagus, bufala mozzarella and thick, gooey aged balsamic. We waddled home, navigating ankle-deep puddles, in a blurry haze of delicious wine and indulgent dishes.
Day two started with a delicious breakfast prepared by our innkeepers. We had a day of exploring the island ahead of us and, therefore, I felt in necessary to have even more fuel than our abundant breakfast offered…
A strong latte from The Bean was a good start…
But the sure way to keep me going is to have a sack full of sugar-candy! The sweet lady at the Nantucket Candy Company viewed me as a regular by the end our our trip!
After hours of sightseeing we were ready for a snack to sustain us until dinner and decided to pop into the Easy Street Cantina for a bite. The location is great, on the corner of Easy and Broad Streets, right by the water and I can imagine that it is packed in the summer months. The fish taco and chicken salad wrap were average, but did the trick.
We were seated at a cozy window table for dinner, our second night. Black Eyed Susan’s is a teeny little BYO {cash only!} restaurant that offers breakfast and dinner. People rave about their breakfast…but I’m only able to rave about their dinner. I had the Salmon Tikka Masala that had a deliciously Indian flare, while J chose a safer chicken dish that the waiter offered as a special for the evening. We so enjoyed our meal, romantic and casual…and quite bustling for off season!
The next day we embarked on an island bicycle trip and stopped at The Green, after breakfast, to pick up lunch on the go…something that would fit in the woven basket on the front of my bike {J would not hear of putting a basket on his bike!}
Once we hit Siaconset beach {10+ miles later} and found the perfect overturned rowboat to act as our picnic respite, it was time to sample the natural/organic creations the early shift at The Green put together for us. My multigrain wrap was stuffed with tuna, veggies, spinach and brown rice. To say it was fresh would be a massive understatement…it was the perfect fuel I needed. J’s chicken salad wrap must have also been noteworthy because before I could ask how it was…it was gone!
Once we got back into town, nearly 25 miles in nutty wind-gusts later, we both agreed we were owed a treat {as if the backpack full of sugar-candy wasn’t treat enough…}
Petticoat Row is a darling bakery bursting with even more darling treats. In the 1800s, many of the island men were away on whaling voyages for months, if not years, on end. The wives at home were forced to step up and fill in with the labor shortage and started running businesses and shops. The lady-run shops on Centre Street started being referred to as Petticoat Row.
The macarons were massive, the cookies were trouble with their gooey centers and crispy edges and the misc goodies left us wanting more {while also feeling sickly full}…
After a bit of relaxation, it was time to gear up for yet another meal! After a menu change at our originally planned restaurant, Toppers, we selected Dune for our final dinner.
The almost urban setting was bustling with an interesting mix of chic, glossy patrons and with a few casual hoodie-clad locals, all simply awaiting a delish dinner with drinks.
I convinced The Man to start with Oysters on the half shell. We shared the pepper pappardelle with black truffle and risotto. The dinner was delicious and we were so glad to have shared our last dinner there.
The morning of our departure, we realized we had yet to make a visit to a local favorite…Downyflake Donuts.
We decided to walk, even though it’s location was described as middle island. The donuts were surprisingly small…allowing us the further indulgence of a sampling of a few of their flavors: regular, chocolate, and pumpkin spice. The walk was way more manageable than expected, therefore not easing my conscious…perhaps I worked off the free sample bite left on the counter?
Before the weekend came to an end, we needed snacks for the flight and treats for friends at home and made a final stop at Sweet Inspirations, where chocolate covered gummy bears {surprisingly delicious} and chocolate covered cranberries {local and seasonal} came home with us by the boatload.
I haven’t yet stopped my two-a-day workouts and am pretty sure I shouldn’t for months to make up for the few fabulous days of dining we experienced on Nantucket.
The blinding early morning sunshine that started the day today seems, at once, to have welcomed the melodic chorus of cheery birds, a fresh leafy green fragrance in the air, and the subtle buzz of landscapers tending to green lawns {ok, or teensy patches here in the city}…An indication that we Chicagoans are finally able to bust down our emotional barriers that have protected us from repeat disappointment, and get our hopes up for consistently warmer temps and the opportunity to emerge, for good, from our mind-numbingly-long winter hibernation.
Paired with a prelude of a true spring, comes the anticipation of many future evenings that will be perfect for dining al fresco – my absolute FAVORITE summer pastime. Here are a few images that continue to inspire optimism:
A table set with wisteria dangling from above is sure to make any meal taste divine.
While most of us don’t have a country lair – a rooftop terrace and container garden would be just fine?
Ah yes, tables set poolside with copious candles twinkling overhead…I’ll have to remember that one.
I love the perfectly coiffed pathway leading to the dinner table set under the shade of a massive tree.
And although we may not have settings quite as dreamy as those – here are a few of my personal favorite outdoor dining spots:
Picccolo Sogno – For an oasis-like patio and a seal of authenticity from the Italian government {oh, and don’t pass up the delish gnocchi con fungi}
Chez Joel – For a shared meal of co au vin and a hearty bordeaux
Pelago Ristorante – For their indulgent truffle risotto and a setting like a true Italian piazza
Erie Cafe – For a glass of wine and a cigar…really
The Terrace at Trump – For the most insane view of our gorgeous city and overpriced champagne cocktail
Amidst the hustle and bustle of last week, Renny insisted we make time for ourselves…A lunch date was penned in our diaries and we weren’t going to bail – we promised! It turned out to be a bit of a celebration, a Beyond Blissful year together! and Renny asked where we should dine. I had recently heard and read nice things about the new French-American restaurant by the owners and chef of The Gage, called Henri.
We arrived for our late lunch to a packed house – busy with businessmen, locals, foodies, symphony-goers and tourists alike – all taking time out of their schedules for a sophisticated mid-day meal.
The bright restaurant initially reminded me of a European salon, a beautiful dusty robins egg blue {or nile blue to us industry folk!} and chocolate brown color pairing dressed the walls and the furniture. The staff was beyond welcoming and friendly…something that most new, hot restaurants seem to care less about. After a brief moment to freshen up {the luxe restrooms were modestly and handsomely marvelous} we were seated immediately, thanks to our reservation.
After Renny’s insistence of beginning with a coupe of champagne (the glasses were substantially gorgeous – and you know I’m a sucker for a saucer of bubbly!), the polished bus boy offered up a gorgeous mahogany tray of freshly baked french bread. Our meals were as dreamily delicious as the day’s warm weather and the decor. I ordered the mussels – I truly argue – the best I’ve had. They were submerged in the lightest, most delicious fennel broth, paired with a crusty piece of bread, perfect for trying to sop up every last drop of the salty goodness. Renny ordered the snapper and was as equally impressed as I was. After summoning all of our willpower, we passed on the dessert and instead ordered cappuccinos.
I so enjoyed being a lady-who-lunched and so appreciated the company and generosity of my dining companion. The meal was delish, and I’m already dying to head back…
Oh, Henri…I think I’m fallin’!
{image credits} restaurant photos taken by steven johnson photography, cappuccino found on flickr by digital gopher
